The Miami Heat could change the outlook for the season if they make a big move to sign Brandon Ingram. Ishaan Bhattachar
The Miami Heat are trying to end a rough start to the 2023-24 NBA season. After going 1-4 in their first five games, the Heat are back to .500 in this eight inning. The top of the East looks secure as the Philadelphia 76ers are joined by championship favorites the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. The Heat are definitely underdogs and have one of the worst offenses and streaks in the league. The Pelicans did the opposite of the Heat, starting the season 4-1, and later fell to the same record as the Heat, 4-4. While they have looked strong when Zion Williamson is healthy, CJ McCollumand#039’s lung problems have affected their momentum. There are still issues with what the team can accomplish as it stands, as injuries seem to mar every season. The Pelicans might be better off soft restarting the core around Williamson with a young guard instead of a point guard. As a result, a trade with the Heat could be the solution.
Trade Details
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, Caleb Martin, 2028 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: Brandon Ingram
The Pelicans load up on rotational depth and acquire a future pick with a high-potential young prospect to part with Ingram, whoand#039;s had a decent start to the season. This would transform both teams and give them a chance to shake it up for a challenging season.
The Pelicans Adjust Their Timeline
The Pelicans have been trying to make a frontcourt duo of Zion and Ingram work for four seasons and health from either side hasand#039;t permitted that. Zionand#039;s potential remains sky-high, while it seems we have seen the best Ingram can do. Heand#039;s an All-Star caliber forward but isnand#039;t going to be the piece leading them to a title. As a result, the Pels can trade his talent for the proven play of guard Tyler Herro.
Herro may be hated for his personality, but his production for the Heat was undeniable. He is their attacking leader and can play in any attacking role that is needed, be it on or off the ball. Heand has shown his playmaking skills this season, averaging 22.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists as the Heat’s primary ball handler. His speed has been hampered by an ankle injury, but Herro has shown that he has plenty of room for improvement and is still a high-level starter in the NBA right now. Caleb Martin gives the Pelicans more frontcourt depth, especially with the loss of Ingram. The move would open up a bigger role for Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones, but Martin is a proven three-dimensional offensive player who could fit any team that wants to contend. Nikola Jovic is young and has a lot of potential that the Pelicans could benefit from in this younger and slightly changed timeline with Herro and Zion.
The Miami Heat add a needed scorer
The Heat have been one of the worst offenses of the season despite Tyler Herro getting off to a great start. The lack of a real playmaker hurt them, but worse was the lack of a full-back. Jimmy Butler isn’t going to try to give you 30 nights in the regular season, so the Heat need a big body that can move and tough defenders to get the layup buckets. Brandon Ingram fits that bill almost exactly, while the Heat could look for a pass-first PG or lean on Kyle Lowry to provide useful defense and playmaking for the team.
Ingram is averaging 21.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists this season. He continues to find his rhythm and played with the flow of the team and offense instead of chasing his buckets. Pelicans and#039; depth is one reason that made Ingram a more composed and responsible style of basketball. The Heat need a good scorer who can get the offense going at times, especially since Butler seems to be the playmaker. With his passing and scoring ability, Ingram would be a perfect complementary piece.
Ingram isn’t a committed defender most of the year, but joining the Heat and working in this system could help him finally use his good physical tools to be a shooting guard. With Bam Adebayo manning the center and Butler next to you as a wing dog, there’s less pressure, which could allow Ingram to thrive in a defensive role as well.
Agreement to set realistic goals for both franchises
The Pelicans may decide to move CJ McCollum and Jonas Valuncuinas for similar upgrades, as both players could limit the Pelicans’ youth movement. The difference between this and other youth movements is that this is a win-now group that can compete every night, like the Thunder, but doesn’t have as much of a future. It all depends on Zion’s health, but with Herro and others, this group can be competitive without Zion and gives the team room to grow with their strong young prospects.
The Heat are taking a calculated risk by moving away from Herro, Jovic, Martin and the picker. Their depth is not the best and it takes more parts of the roster. But Jovic is barely playing and Herro has been plagued by various trade negotiations throughout the summer. Removing that by signing Ingram, who is a more refined prospect, would help the team be a contender this season. A three-dimensional wing like Martin will inevitably be replaced by the Heat’s factory line of quality NBA players.
Both teams are taking huge gambles by changing the direction of their teams, but it could work for everyone and #039;
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